Seattle - USS Momsen Tigers enjoy a steel beach picnic hosted by the MWR Committee. Family and friends got to experience the “day-in-the-life” of a Sailor by participating in a number of different events. (Photo by USS Momsen Public Affairs)

USS MOMSEN Hosts Post-Deployment Family Day and Tiger Cruise

By LTJG Claire Clancy, USS MOMSEN Public Affairs Officer

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Seattle – After returning from an intense seven month deployment from December 2011 to July 2012, the Sailors of the Everett, Washington-based destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) were proud and excited to show off their accomplishments to their friends and families. Kicking off the event was the Family Cruise on Tuesday, where over 115 “Tigers” rode the guided missile destroyer from the Port of Everett to Elliott Bay overlooking the Seattle skyline. “Showing my Tiger around the ship was definitely a privilege,” said GSM2(SW) Matthew Mateer. “It was my guest’s first trip to the Seattle area, and the view was spectacular. It was a great opportunity to teach him more about my job and my collateral duties like the Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team.”

In addition to the made-to-order weather, guests were able to take tours of the ship and experience a “day-in-the-life” of a Momsen sailor. “It was a wonderful opportunity to show family and friends everything we do on a daily basis,” said LT Jason Bradley, Chief Engineer, whose fiancée was onboard for the Family Day Cruise. Andy Bohling, another Tiger onboard, agreed. “The teamwork and effort it takes to run a Navy warship is incredible. Everyone is here to do their job. The camaraderie here is unbelievable, no one is complaining, and they are all here with a smile on their faces. This has been the experience of a lifetime.”

Tuesday night through Thursday morning was an underway 50 nautical miles off the coast of the Olympic Peninsula for 45 Tigers. Festivities included a Nacho and Bingo Night hosted by the ship’s Junior Officers and MWR committee, an Ice Cream social hosted by the Chief Petty Officers, a deployment slide shows, and a flight deck movie. Tigers were also able to watch a live-fire gun shoot and even try their hand at ship-handling.

Parents, siblings, and children of Sailors were thrilled to stand watch with their sponsors and get a real understanding of what life underway entails. “Everyone has been incredibly helpful,” said Paul Grimm, father of Hospital Corpsman Third Class Jonathan Grimm. “I have been able to go almost everywhere on the ship, and everyone is willing to interact with us on such a personal level. At the end of the day – I can say I have had a perfect Tiger Cruise.”

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